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CVU students push back on federal probe APRIL 2, 2026
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
With radio silence coming from the U.S. Department of Education about its alleged investigation into the Champlain Valley School District’s policy of allowing students to participate in sports in accordance with their gender identity, CVU students are taking the issue into their own hands. It was Transgender Day of Visibility on Tuesday, and at a bustling intersection of hallways near the high school lobby, the CVU Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club had set up a table. On display was information about the investigation — which blindsided school administrators when the federal government announced it in January — and a template of a letter to elected officials. Club members encouraged students and staff alike to sign the letter, or write their own original version, asking elected representatives to support their transgender constituents and defend the school district’s transgender policy. By day’s end, the club had 220 letters ready to mail to local, state and federal politicians. For student Deacon Brown, the motivation to sign came from his personal connection to the school’s transgender students. “This (federal investigation) goes against so much of what I hold dear because it goes against them,” he said. “This administration has already done a lot of bad, and now it’s doing bad on a personal level. That’s why I’m taking a stand to fight it … And how we fight is by doing things like this.” The Department of Education announced the investigation in
Molly Marino, left, and Lena Smith of the CVU Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club staff a letter-writing table Tuesday at the high school encouraging students and staff to speak out against a federal investigation into the school’s transgender policy. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR
a Jan. 14 news release from its Office for Civil Rights, framing it as protection for the rights of women and girls to have equal access to school sports. The CVSD policy of allowing students to participate in accordance with their gender identity was first adopted in 2021 and updated by the school board last fall. The Department of Education alleges that the policy amounts to a violation of “Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.” “The Office of Civil Rights is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports,” Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in the news release. “Violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable.” Champlain Valley was among 18 school districts and colleges geographically spread from Hawaii to Maine that were named. The Department of Education claims that the investigations were initiated by complaints submitted to its Office of Civil Rights. But the office has not shared details of any specific complaint with CVSD administrators. In addition, calls to a contact phone number on the investigation announcement lead to a recording that has, for months, said: “The U.S. Department of
Education’s Information Resource Center is temporarily closed at this time.” Nonetheless, CVSD Superintendent Adam Bunting submitted a response to the investigation in February. The district has yet to receive any further communication about it. Lena Smith, president of the CVU Gender and Sexuality Alliance club, joined club member Molly Marino on Tuesday staffing the letter-writing table. They described club members’ initial reactions to news of the investigation. “There was a lot of anger and a lot of sadness,” Smith said. A sense of fear lingers because
it is unclear where the investigation will lead. “We have no idea what’s coming,” she said. In meetings over the winter, club members brainstormed ways to respond, starting with visual displays of support for transgender students around the school. The idea for a letter-writing campaign came from another club’s prior success with it. “We knew we had to do something,” Marino said. Tuesday’s action not only produced 220 letters, it also served to educate members of the CVU community that may have been unaware of the investigation; students weren’t notified directly, Smith and Marino said. Rather, emails were sent to parents and staff. Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club faculty advisor Lena Kirillova noted that the federal investigation has raised the profile of the district’s Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students policy, spotlighting the ways the district supports transgender and gender nonconforming students. Among the policy’s provisions: it requires school staff to respect requests by students to be addressed by their chosen name and pronouns; it states that students will not be required to use restrooms that conflict with their actual or perceived gender identity; and it allows participation in sports in accordance with a student’s actual or perceived gender identity. “The policy is pretty explicit,” Kirillova said. “Some students knew about it before this, but this has helped students research more into it and realize what the policy says.”
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Williston Observer • April 2, 2026
WCS student engineers win popsicle bridge contest at Vermont State Three students from Williston Central School made their competing debut at the recent Vermont State University Popsicle Bridge Building Competition, earning first place in their first year competing. Anna Dagesse, Addison Amin and Olivia Francke — the “Popsicle Pioneers” — designed and built a popsicle stick bridge that held a whopping 1,554 pounds during load testing. The team also received first place awards for technical presentation, team spirit and structural efficiency, along with second place for aesthetics. They competed against 35 teams and more than 125 student engineers across Vermont. “It was such a fun opportunity to build a bridge with my friends. We learned a lot, and we were so impressed with how many different designs there were at the competition,” Dagesse said. The team was inspired to participate by the CVU Women in Engineering Club, which first competed last year. From left, Addison Amin, Anna Dagesse and Olivia Francke of Williston Central School — comprising the “Popsicle Pioneers” team — demonstrate their popsicle bridge strength during a contest recently at Vermont State University. The team won first place with a bridge that could hold 1,554 pounds. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Around Town NBT Bank supports rec department’s ‘Play Day’ NBT Bank recently presented a $250 check to the Williston
Recreation & Parks Department to support the upcoming Family Play Day on June 13. Family Play Day is a free event that will feature food trucks, sports, a bike rodeo and games for all ages. NBT Bank will be at the event with an ice cream truck and activity. Event sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Recreation and Parks Director Todd Goodwin at tgoodwin@willistonvt.org. see AROUND TOWN page 3
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO
EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 2
“Gone Guys” screening and discussion. 7 p.m. CVU auditorium. SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Rotary Easter Parade & Egg Hunt. Candy, prizes, Easter bunny. 9 a.m. Williston Central School. Allen Brook School garden work day. Volunteers needed to jumpstart the Allen Brook garden for spring. 10 a.m. South side of ABS. Seed swap and share. Bring seeds to swap and take home. 11:301:30 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Sponsored by Sustainable Williston. TUESDAY, APRIL 7
Selectboard meeting. 7 p.m. Town Hall. Agenda at town.williston.vt.us. From left, NBT Bank’s Wayne Hickey, Lauren Mead and Thomas Samuelsen present a $250 sponsorship check to Taylor Hayes and Todd Goodwin of the Williston Recreation and Parks Department for the upcoming Family Play Day on June 13. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Game on! Chittenden County Flag Football Spring Girls League ’26
Planning Commission meeting. 7 p.m. Town Hall Annex. Agenda at town.williston.vt.us. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
CVU turf field info session. 7 p.m. CVU High School library. THURSDAY, APRIL 9
CVU Empty Bowls Dinner and Auction. Benefiting the Williston Community Food Shelf. 6-8 p.m. CVU High School. THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 9-11
WCS presents “Matilda Jr.” 6:30 p.m. April 9; 6:30 p.m. April 10; 2 p.m. April 11. Williston Central School auditorium. willistoncentral. seatyourself.biz. FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 10-12
Saturdays, May 2-June 6 Register at chittendencountyflagfootball.com
CVU High School Theater One Acts. Students direct and perform Shakespeare one act plays. 7 p.m. April 10; 7 p.m. April 11; 1 p.m. April 12. ticketsource.us/cvutheater.
April 2, 2026 •
Around Town continued from page 2
CVU Empty Bowls event to benefit Williston’s food shelf The third annual CVU Empty Bowls Dinner & Silent Auction takes place on Thursday, April 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. Empty Bowls is a global movement that brings communities together to combat food insecurity. Each ticket includes a handmade ceramic bowl made by CVU students and community members, along with a dinner of homemade soups, artisan bread and ice cream. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf. Advance tickets are required. Visit Access CVU to purchase tickets or donate: cvsdvt.ce.eleyo.com.
Scale model show, contest upcoming at Armory The Can-Am Con 2026 Scale Model Show & Contest will take place at the National Guard Armory in Williston on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $5 with children under 12 admitted free.
This year’s theme is in memory of Shunsaku Tamiya and includes any model in any category built from a Tamiya kit. Tamiya led a family-owned company for 40 years as a leading manufacturer of build-ityourself plastic model kits of race cars and military vehicles. For more information and contest entry forms, visit www.mountmansfieldmodelers. com.
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Petition mission
Event planned to promote women’s history at high schools Her Education Required (H.E.R.) student groups from CVU and other area high schools will hold a county-wide event on Thursday, April 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the CVU Library in Hinesburg to advocate for the inclusion of women’s history in school curriculum. The gathering will feature short speeches and presentations of data to support the groups’ mission to add women’s rights as required coursework, raise awareness about the importance of women’s history and explore how it remains relevant today in preventing sexism and empowering student voices. The event will include pizza, music and a gift card raffle. For more information, visit hereducation.org.
Cindy Roy, left, urges a Williston resident to sign a petition seeking a revote on a $13.9 bond that voters approved at Town Meeting Day. Petitioners have until Thursday, April 2 to submit a petition with at least 435 signatures (5 percent of the Williston electorate) with the Town Clerk to force a townwide revote on the bond. OBSERVER PHOTO BY SUSAN COTE
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Williston Observer • April 2, 2026
Hundreds protest Act 181 on Statehouse steps
Do new land-use rules infringe on property rights? BY CARLY BERLIN VTDigger
Clad in workwear and toting signs with slogans like “Hands off our land!,” several hundred protesters gathered on the Statehouse steps on Tuesday calling for lawmakers to repeal a major land-use reform law. Rural landowners have organized in recent weeks as the effects of 2024’s Act 181 come into focus. The law sought to encourage more homebuilding
in already-developed areas of Vermont while boosting protections over sensitive ecosystems. Though some speakers praised the pro-housing pieces of the sweeping law, many protesters contended that its conservation aims amount to an infringement on property rights in rural areas — and that the whole thing should be scrapped. “It seems pointless to buy land and have a dream when maps are being made by people you’ve never met, by people that have never stepped foot on your property, and yet they’re trying to control the very land you own,” see ACT 181 page 5
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Several hundred demonstrators gather to protest Act 181 at the Statehouse in Montpelier last Tuesday. The law seeks to modernize Act 250. PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
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April 2, 2026 •
Act 181
continued from page 4
said Ian Ackermann, who owns a maple sugar operation in Cabot, to roaring applause. “That’s how most of us feel about Act 181.” Act 181 set in motion a transformation of Vermont’s landmark development-review policy, Act 250, mandating a first-of-its-kind mapping effort that will essentially dictate where future development will be subject to Act 250 scrutiny, and where it won’t be, through a tiered land-use classification system. That mapping process is still underway, and the state board overseeing it has asked for more time to complete its work. A key Senate committee has advanced a bill that postpones Act 181’s effects until 2030. Republicans are planning to push forward amendments to repeal Act 181 in whole or in part, said Sen. Russ Ingalls, R-Essex, an organizer of Tuesday’s rally.
Many fellow Republican lawmakers joined him behind the podium but so did several Democratic and independent legislators who have pushed for changes to Act 181 in recent months. The protesters’ chief complaints center on two aspects of Act 181 that they argue will make it harder for people to build homes and start businesses in rural areas. The first is the “road rule.” Expected to impact the majority of land in the state in the “Tier 2” zone, the rule stipulates that a private entity that wants to build a road longer than 800 feet, or a combination of roads and driveways longer than 2,000 feet, will be required to apply for a state Act 250 permit. As written, the rule is slated to take effect on July 1, but lawmakers are considering pushing back the start-date until 2030. Proponents of the rule argue that it will encourage construction close to existing roads and prevent the fragmentation of Vermont’s
forests. Farms are exempt from the road rule, and from Act 250 generally. But Neil Ryan, a Corinth cattle farmer, consultant and self-described “Yankee conservative,” said many farm ventures begin with a house. “The farmer, her family and her home are not exempt,” Ryan said. Act 181 opponents are also focused on the potential impacts of new “Tier 3” areas, which will see heightened environmental reviews for certain sensitive natural areas, like headwater streams and habitat connectors. Tier 3 is expected to cover a relatively small portion of land in the state. Lawmakers and the Land Use Review Board, the body that oversees Act 250, are currently scrutinizing which areas should be included in the maps and determining what kinds of construction the beefed-up permitting process should apply to. A vocal group of housing
advocates, municipal officials and rural property owners have argued that the board’s Tier 3 draft maps put too much land into this more restrictive category. Land Use Review Board members have vowed that their next drafts will shrink down the reach of Tier 3. Loralee Tester, director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, said the conservation measures in Act 181 amount to a “displacement.” “It limits what families can do with land that is often their only meaningful wealth,” Tester said. “We are against policies that place every burden on the people with the fewest resources and the least political power, and then call it progress.” Some of Act 181’s longtime supporters argue that the protesters’ claims about the law’s potential impacts are overblown. “For example, saying that, ‘No rural Vermonter is going to be able to develop or pass along a piece of land to their kids to build
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a house, entire towns are going to be covered by Tier 3’ — none of that is true,” said Lauren Hierl, director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. “It’s just inflated, overstated, and I think purposefully stoking anger.” Sen. Anne Watson, D/PWashington, who chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, also took to the podium on Tuesday. An ardent believer in Act 181’s core goals, she has backed legislation this session to delay the road rule and Tier 3, as well as extend temporary housing exemptions. Watson remains wary of repealing pieces of the major landuse law before the mapping and rulemaking efforts started come to fruition. But, she told protesters — some of whom booed her — that she’s willing to hear them out. “I want to know your concerns. I want to hear from you,” Watson promised. “I want to work together with you to figure this out.”
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Williston Observer • April 2, 2026
GUEST COLUMN
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willistonobserver.com P.O. Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 802-489-5499
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We can’t conserve working lands by undermining them BY SAM LINCOLN I’ve had the honor of being a Vermonter who has made a career working the land in agricultural and timber harvesting enterprises. My family has owned land in Vermont for generations. I also served as deputy commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation under Gov. Phil Scott, where I worked on efforts to reform Act 250 to both protect forests
and make the law work for rural Vermont. Vermont’s forest businesses must compete, innovate and grow just to stay viable. But too often, our regulatory system makes that harder instead of easier. It should not take three years to get a permit to make bark mulch on land a town has already zoned for industrial use. A logger should not be denied a municipal permit to process firewood because their business is located in a forest
PUBLISHER Susan T. Cote susan@willistonobserver.com BILLING INQUIRIES Michael McCaffrey office@willistonobserver.com
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ADVERTISING SPACE DEADLINE Friday at 5 p.m. for the next Thursday issue adam@willistonobserver.com 802-338-1655 CLASSIFIED ADS Deadline is Friday 5 p.m. There is a fee for business, real estate, help wanted and legal ads. Free classifieds must be 25 words or fewer and are printed on a space available basis.
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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS Deadline is Monday noon for Thursday issue. News/story tips are welcomed. Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we can verify the letter’s author. The Williston Observer reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions or advertising. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.
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conservation zone. And it should not cost a small business owner $100,000 in fees, expert witnesses and other conditions to get permitted to produce the wood fuel chips that heat buildings — including our Statehouse — fuel chips that are now hauled in from out-ofstate suppliers. These are not hypothetical scenarios. With the implementation of Act 181, and no meaningful consideration given to rural businesses, these complications are only going to increase in frequency and complexity. It is a significant deterrent to starting or growing a rural business. These aren’t new issues. Rural business owners raised them long before Act 181 through testimony, stakeholder meetings and good-faith participation in official Act 250 reform discussions. Unfortunately, they were dismissed by one legislator as a “nonissue.” That disregard has real consequences. It’s not just frustrating, it has undermined the businesses and supply chains that Vermont depends on to manage its forests, supply local wood products, support its farms and sustain its rural communities. To be clear, the Legislature has done important work for rural Vermont. But when it comes to land use and environmental policy, many of us have been left out
of the process, while others — often paid advocates — have had a disproportionate voice in shaping the outcomes. I’ve written to the Speaker of
Once again rural Vermonters are being asked to trust the same process that has disregarded or actively worked against them for years. the House multiple times with specific examples of exclusion or indifference toward rural Vermonters, with an offer to discuss them. I’ve received no response. None. So now, once again, as delays in Act 181 are being called for, to “get it right,” rural Vermonters are being asked to trust the same process that has disregarded or actively worked against them for years. We’ve already seen that movie. If we spend the next three or four years going through the same process — with the same structure see LINCOLN page 7
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AG Clark sues feds over new conditions on food aid April 2, 2026 •
Lincoln
continued from page 6
and the same voices driving it — we should expect the same results. We cannot do that. Too much is at stake. The problem isn’t a lack of input or potential solutions that protect the environment and our rural way of life. The issue is a lack of balance and accountability in how that input is considered. If legislation affects landowners, they belong at the center of the process, not relegated to public comment sessions after the big picture policy decisions have been made. The Legislature should repeal the “road rule” and Tier 3 provisions of Act 181. They do not work for the people most directly affected. If the goal is to address forest fragmentation and biodiversity, that conversation should happen openly, with the people who live and work on the land. Communication, education and collaboration must come before regulation. I’ll say it clearly: no more decisions about rural Vermont without rural Vermonters at the table.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing the Trump Administration over its attempt to impose conditions on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, grants, cooperative agreements and mutual interest agreements. According to the lawsuit, the USDA has threatened harsh penalties if states do not comply with the agency’s funding conditions relating to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity. The lawsuit asks the court to block the USDA from imposing these funding conditions, which affect food assistance programs for Vermont’s most vulnerable children, working families, seniors, and people with disabilities. “Imposing these funding conditions on programs that feed the most vulnerable Americans is illegal and cruel,” Clark said. “It also, unfortunately, keeps with a theme of this Administration of violating the Constitution and federal law — regardless of the cost to Americans — to further the president’s extreme social agenda.”
Sam Lincoln is the former deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation and previously served on the Development Review Board and Planning Commission in the Town of Randolph.
CAN I APPLY FOR A HABITAT HOME? INCOME LIMITS For a Green Mountain Habitat Home, depending on your Household Size, here is the maximum amount of income you can make to qualify. At Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, we are transparent about the application process, so if you fall within these income limits, take the next step and apply!
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“Imposing these funding conditions on programs that feed the most vulnerable Americans is illegal and cruel.” Charity Clark Vermont Attorney General
The USDA adopted new funding conditions at the start of this year that require states to promise to comply with the Trump Administration’s policies related to gender identity, diversity, immigration and fair athletic opportunities for girls and women. However, Clark and the attorneys general explain in their lawsuit that USDA does not fully identify or limit which policies the states must comply with, leaving states at the mercy of the Administration for enforcement of the new conditions. The grant terms threaten Vermont’s
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ability to provide food for vulnerable children, imperiling $57 million in food and funding this year for child nutrition programs, according to the Attorney General. Federal funds for other programs could also be at risk, including nearly $165 million in funding for Vermont’s SNAP and WIC programs. Clark and the coalition have asked the court to prohibit USDA from implementing or enforcing the conditions. They allege the Trump Administration has violated the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. This is the 46th lawsuit filed by Attorney General Clark against the Trump Administration. Joining Clark in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
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Williston Observer • April 2, 2026
Kites in the Park Friday, April 17, 6 p.m. at Village Community Park. Celebrate National Kite Month at the park. We’ll provide a kite for each family to decorate and personalize (while supplies last), then take to the sky to fly. Thanks to presenting sponsor Associates in Orthodontics.
FAMILY PROGRAMS WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP
Ages 14-plus. This beginner workshop uses both large and small group instruction. Traumainformed trainings focus on boundary setting, affirmative
consent and sexual assault information, as well as the mental and physical skills of empowering self-defense. Thursday, April 16, 5:30-8 p.m. $67.
ADULT PROGRAMS KNITTING
Aged 18-plus. Learn to knit or improve your knitting skills. This program offers the basics for first-timers, beginners and intermediates with specific how-tos and help with projects. Yarn and needles are provided, or bring your own. Instructor: Christine Heavner. Saturdays, April 18-May 23, 10-11 a.m. $60.
JAZZERCISE CARDIO SCULPT PROGRAMS
SENIOR STRENGTH & FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
Ages 16-plus. Cardio Sculpt Low/ Moderate (low impact, moderate intensity) — 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Cardio Sculpt Low/High (low impact, moderate to high intensity) — 8:309:30 a.m. Sundays; 4:45-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Cardio Sculpt High/ High (high impact, high intensity) — 4:45-5:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Ages 50-plus. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m., Free. Instructor: Jazmine Averbuck.
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Ages 50-plus. Mondays, 9:3010:30 a.m., Free. Instructor: Adina Panitch. BONE BUILDERS
Ages 50-plus. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Free. Instructors: Ann Naumann and Joyce Oughstun.
ZUMBA GOLD
Ages 50-plus. Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., $10 per visit. Instructor: Ciara Gregory.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
Ages 2-6. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and join us for a cozy picnic in the park. We’ll start by reading Teddy Bear Picnic together, then each child will receive their very own unstuffed teddy bear to create. Bring a lunch for the picnic. This is a parent-child program with rec staff. Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $20. YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Grades 6-8. Learn and apply entrepreneurial skills. Turn everyday thoughts into exciting business ventures. Discover
money management secrets to fuel your business dreams. Participants will need their own laptop or tablet, ear buds and access to an email account. Instructor: Minds in Motion staff. Mondays, April 27-June 1, 2:50-4:15 p.m., $145. TENNIS
Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5. Instructors use small courts, short racquets and balls that bounce lower. Wednesdays, April 29-June 3, (Grades K-2, 3-4 p.m., Grades 3-5, 1:50-2:50 p.m. $90. RECKIDS LACROSSE
Ages 4-5. Parents and children work together to develop fundamental lacrosse skills such as stick handling, cradling, scooping, shooting, passing, catching and running/agility in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. All equipment is provided. Instructors: Rec. staff. Fridays, May 1-29, 5:15-6:15 p.m., $36. ROOKIES LACROSSE
Grades K-2. This program focuses on individual and team concepts in a fun, educational environment. Separate programs will be offered for boys and girls if numbers allow. Participants are required to bring a lacrosse stick. Volunteer coaches are needed. Saturdays, May 2- June 6 — boys, 8-9 a.m., girls, 9:1010:10 a.m. $53.
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Williston Observer •
Page 9
Prepping your garden for the growing season Springtime tips for getting off on the right foot BY DEBORAH J. BENOIT Special to the Observer Spring is in the air. While it’s still too soon to plant, there’s plenty to do — even before the snow has entirely cleared — to get ready for the upcoming growing season. Before you set foot in the garden, sort through your garden tools and other equipment. Make a list of items you need to replace (such as broken tools) or need more of (like plant supports or tomato cages). Clean and sharpen tools so that they’re ready to use when needed. Take a walk around your yard and garden to check for surprises winter may have left behind. Gather up fallen limbs, along with litter or debris that may have blown in during winter storms, to tidy things up. Broken, damaged or diseased branches on trees or shrubs should be removed before they cause further damage. If you don’t already have one, this is a great time to start a compost pile. Whether you want to create a simple pile in a corner of the yard for vegetative waste from your spring cleanup or prefer something tidier like compost bins, select and define an area for composting. See https://go.uvm.edu/thedirtoncompost for help getting started. Spring cleanup of the remains of last year’s garden, fallen leaves and early sprouting weeds will likely generate plenty of material to compost over the coming weeks. Never add diseased plant material or seed heads from weeds to your compost pile. Collect a soil sample and send it for a professional soil test. It’s easy and inexpensive to do. The results will provide you with invaluable information regarding your garden’s soil, including available nutrients and recommendations for soil amendments and fertilizers. See https://go.uvm.edu/soiltest for more information on obtaining a soil test. Once you have the results of that soil test in hand, you can obtain any recommended soil amendments. Wait to apply them until excess water in the garden has drained or dried up before digging or turning the soil. Working soil that’s too wet can compact the soil and destroy its structure, making it difficult for plants to grow. If you’re going to start new beds or reclaim an area overrun by weeds, consider smothering weeds using solarization or occultation to make the job easier. This involves trimming back grass or weeds close to the soil surface, then covering the area with a secured tarp. See https://go.uvm.edu/gardentarping
Spring is time to take a walk around your yard and garden to check for surprises winter may have left behind. PHOTO COURTESY OF UVM EXTENSION
for details on these techniques. Refreshing mulch in perennial beds can help reduce germination of weed seeds. It also makes pulling any weeds that do appear easier. The earlier in the season you start dealing with weeds, the less time you’ll need to spend weeding later on. Consider starting a garden journal to keep track of important dates and observations in your garden, supplies ordered and planting and harvest information. Details that seem memorable now will fade as the season progresses, and you’ll likely find yourself wishing you’d made note of specifics, such as how many yards of mulch you ordered and whether you need to order more (or less) next time. The arrival of spring brings with it all the possibilities of a new year in the garden. Get these tasks done early, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your garden. For more information on any of these ideas or for answers to home gardening questions in general, contact the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Helpline at https://go.uvm.edu/ gardenhelpline. Volunteers are ready to help. Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener who volunteers as a garden columnist and participates in Bennington County Extension Master Gardener Chapter activities.
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Pagerelease 10 •dates: Williston Observer April 4-10, 2026 •
April 2, 2026
14 (26)
Next Week: Arbor Day
Issue 14, 2026
Founded by Betty Debnam
Pick a Winning Read
Visit the ALA's Youth Media Award Winners Page, bit.ly/3ZOGBX8.
photo by Let Ideas Compete
Cátia Chien
Illustrator Cátia Chien received the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book for children. "Fireworks," a picture book written by Matthew Burgess, captures the special excitement of Independence Day for two kids waiting for the show to start. The book celebrates not just the sights, but the sounds, tastes and feelings of that magical summer day. Cátia Chien is an award-winning illustrator whose art has been displayed at the Beijing National Gallery and in other galleries around the world. Chien was born in Brazil and grew up as an immigrant in the United States. As a child, she loved comic books and thought if she could make books for children, it might help them. She Cátia Chen said making art is about "creating from the inside out. ... Who are you? What do you actually want to say? What matters to you? From that place, everything is possible."
image courtesy Clarion Books
image courtesy Bloomsbury Children's Books
This year's winner of the John Newbery Medal is "All the Blues in the Sky" by Renée Watson. The Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature. In verse, Watson tells the story of Sage, a 13-yearold girl who lost her best friend. As time goes on and Sage joins a counseling group, she begins to understand that grief is different for everyone, and sometimes the pain comes in the middle of laughing or playing or sleeping. Sage also learns that even after such a deep loss, good things in life still happen. Renée Watson has written many books and has won a Newbery Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Award. When she was 7 years old, Watson wrote a 21-page story, and her teacher predicted she'd one day be a writer. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, and she has a home there and a Renée Watson home in New York City. She hopes her writing inspires others and helps change the world.
image by Michael Belcher
Renée Watson
image courtesy reneewatson.net
Honor Books
Mini Fact:
Four Newbery Honor Books and four Caldecott Honor Books were recognized: • “The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli,” written and illustrated by Karina Yan Glaser • “A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez,” by María Dolores Águila • “The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story,” by Daniel Nayeri • “The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest” by Aubrey Hartman • “Every Monday Mabel,” illustrated and written by Jashar Awan • “Our Lake,” illustrated and written by Angie Kang • “Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale From a Little Cave,” illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer • “Sundust,” illustrated and written by Zeke Peña
Coretta Scott King Awards
The Coretta Scott King Author Book Award honored "Will's Race for Home" by Jewel Parker Rhodes. The King Illustrator Book Award winner was "The Library in the Woods," illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey. The King Author Honor Books were "The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze" by Derrick Barnes; "The Library in the Woods"; and "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold. The King Illustrator Honor Books were "André," illustrated by Lamont O'Neal and written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders; and "City Summer, Country Summer," illustrated by Alexis Franklin and written by Kiese Layman.
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Try ’n’ Williston Find
Observer rack locations Mini Jokes
Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Hannaford Healthy Living Williston Adams Farm Market Words that remind us of award-winning books are hidden in this Simon’s Mobil Williston Aromas India backward,Home2Suites puzzle. Some words areofhidden and some letters are Simply Divine Café Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta Corner used twice. See ifChef’s you can find: Sunoco Station Korner Kwik Stop Dorothy Alling Memorial AUTHOR, AWARD, of Williston Library C H I Marriott E N Courtyard C A L D E Town C O T T Offices P BOOKS, CALDECOTT, UPS Store Men At Wok Fairfield Inn U S Q S R N Y Y R O H T U A B at Call Rick CoteHONOR, & Seafood Folino’s Pizza l CHIEN, ai em R R W M&T T Bank D U E R U T Vermont C I Meat P Y Y or (802) 373-2136 erver.com Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s Gardener’s Supply bs nO to ILLUSTRATOR, KING, is W E A O J L T D J Q D R A W A Rick@Will pies Green Mountain Bagel you would like co if LIBRARY, LITERATURE, N N T Rehab R RGym O T A R T S U L L I n for your locatio MEDAL, NEWBERY, K N S I O D X E R J R O N O H I I O E R T X R N E W B E R Y PICTURE, READ, STORIES, N W N S N W G E W E T H I B L WATSON, WINNER,
Essex/Essex Jct. Price Chopper Essex Automotive Quality Bake Shop FiveLuke: CornerWhat Variety River Road Beverage do planets like Hannafordto read? Richmond Comet books! Inn Lila: at Essex Cumberland Farms Mac’s Market Richmond Free Library Lenny: What building has the most stories? Martone’s Deli Lynette: The library! Richmond Market Williston
Eco Note Narwhals depend on sound
home in New York City. She hopes her writing inspires others and helps change the world.
What do you actually want to say? What matters to you? From that place, everything is possible."
Summer," illustrated by Alexis Franklin and written by Kiese Layman. April 2, 2026 •
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Try ’n’ Find
C H I E N C A U S Q S R N Y R R W T D U E W E A O J L T N N T R R O T K N S I O D X I I O E R T X N W N S N W G G Y Q L L C Y B O O K S L A
Luke: What do planets like to read? Lila: Comet books!
L D E C O T T P Y R O H T U A B R U T C I P Y Y D J Q D R A W A A R T S U L L I E R J R O N O H R N E W B E R Y E W E T H I B L R A R B I L Z X L A D E M L U L
Lenny: What building has the most stories? Lynette: The library!
Eco Note
Mini Spy Classics
Narwhals depend on sound the way humans depend on sight, but the Arctic Ocean is becoming so noisy that these whales of the north are falling silent. As melting sea ice opens new shipping routes, the sounds of engines and propellers are drowning out the echoes narwhals use to find food, navigate and stay connected to each other. Researchers have found that when ships pass nearby, narwhals may stop feeding and abandon normal behavior, a warning sign for a species already living at the edge of survival. Narwhals are called the “unicorns of the sea” because males grow a long, spiraled tusk. adapted with permission from Earthweek.com
For later:
Look in your newspaper for kids' book reviews.
Mini Spy Classics appear in the first issue of each month.
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Mini Spy and her friends love to visit the library and check out new books. See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.
Based on materials originally produced and/or created by Betty Debnam.
• heart • pumpkin • letter H • banana
Page 11
Mini Jokes
Words that remind us of award-winning books are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: AUTHOR, AWARD, BOOKS, CALDECOTT, CHIEN, HONOR, ILLUSTRATOR, KING, LIBRARY, LITERATURE, MEDAL, NEWBERY, PICTURE, READ, STORIES, WATSON, WINNER, WRITER.
Williston Observer •
• number 7 • word MINI • letter B • ladder • pencil
• sock • kite • number 3 • letter M • butterfly
• bandage • tin can • mitten • letter A • pocket knife
Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase! Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of events, school sports, nature shots and more!
AlFreyPhotography.com
Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com
AL
Page 12
•
Williston Observer •
April 2, 2026
Is Your Cat’s Heart Healthy? 1 in 7 cats can have heart disease without showing signs. Our feline-focused team offers calm, cat-friendly cardiac ultrasounds. With over 60 years of combined feline medical experience, we make your cats’ health a priority. For cardiac ultrasounds of your cat’s heart, call us today!
Feline Veterinary Hospital and Boarding Suites 60 Commerce Street, Williston | Phone: 802-860-CATS (2287)
LOVED ONE IN CRISIS? A Firearm Restraining Order gives a person in crisis time to heal. If you’re concerned about the behavior of a loved one with a firearm, you can help. In Illinois, a FRO temporarily prevents a person who may be a danger to themselves or others from having a firearm. Learn more at Illinois.gov/PauseToHeal
SAVVY SENIOR
Where to get help with Medicare decisions
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ll be 65 in a few months and could sure use some help sorting through all the confusing Medicare options that are available to me. Where can I get help with my Medicare decisions? — Baffled Bob
Dear Bob, With around 11,400 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day in 2026, you’re asking a very timely question. Many people approaching Medicare are confused by all the choices available today. In addition to original Medicare (Part A and B), which has been around for more than 60 years, you also have the option of enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan, and a supplemental (Medigap) policy — both of which are sold by private insurance companies. Another option is a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans, also offered by private insurers, bundle hospital coverage, medical care, prescription drugs and often extra benefits like vision, dental and hearing into one policy. Most operate as HMOs or PPOs and require you to receive care within a defined network of providers in your area. Medicare Advantage plans have also faced increased scrutiny in recent years over prior-authorization requirements that can delay or deny
By Jim Miller certain services. To help you determine which path makes the most sense for your situation, there are several reliable resources available, depending on how much assistance you need. TOOLS AND RESOURCES
A good starting point is the “Medicare & You” handbook, which provides a clear overview of the program and your options. You can download a copy at medicare. gov/medicare-and-you. You should receive a printed version in the mail about a month before your 65th birthday. The Medicare website also features a helpful “Find a Medicare Plan” tool at medicare.gov/plancompare that allows you to compare
health plans, prescription drug coverage and supplemental policies available in your area. If you prefer to speak with someone directly, call Medicare at 800-633-4227, and a representative can walk you through your options over the phone. Another excellent free resource is your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides unbiased Medicare counseling either in person or by phone. To locate your local SHIP office, visit shiphelp.org or call 877-839-2675. You can also contact the Medicare Rights Center (medicarerights.org) at 800333-4114 for help with specific questions. In addition, HealthMetrix Research publishes a free Cost Share Report at medicarenewswatch.com that compares Medicare Advantage plans by area based on cost-sharing and health status. GET HELP
If you’d like more hands-on help, you can work with a Medicare insurance agent. Keep in mind that agents are paid commissions by insurance companies, so it’s important to choose an independent agent who represents multiple insurers, not just one. That gives you access to a broader range of options. Also understand that commissions are typically higher for Medicare Advantage plans than for Medigap and Part D policies used with Original Medicare. As a result, some agents may have a financial incentive to recommend Advantage coverage. That doesn’t mean the advice is wrong, but it’s wise to ask questions and understand all your choices before enrolling. You can search for licensed agents through nabip.org, the website of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. Taking the time now to compare your options carefully can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you confidence in the coverage you choose. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
April 2, 2026 •
Williston Observer •
Page 13
CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 14
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1792, Congress passed the Coinage Act, establishing the U.S. Mint. • In 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis fled Richmond, Virginia, as Union forces closed in on the Confederate capital. • In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. • In 1982, Argentine forces mounted amphibious landings on the British-held Falkland Islands, marking the beginning of the Falklands War.
TODAY’S FACT:
• Writer Emile Zola is entombed at the Pantheon in Paris, where he shares a crypt with fellow authors Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 14
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Page 14
•
Williston Observer •
April 2, 2026
ROAD CREW / HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
Photos from theWilliston Observer are available for purchase!
The Town of Fletcher is seeking a dependable, motivated individual to join our highway department. This is an opportunity to be part of a small, dedicated team that keeps our community moving year-round — from responding to winter storms to maintaining roads and infrastructure throughout the summer. If you enjoy working outdoors, operating equipment, and taking pride in hands-on work that directly impacts your community, we encourage you to apply. What You’ll Do
• Operate and maintain highway equipment (plow trucks, loaders, graders, etc.) • Perform year-round road and bridge maintenance • Assist with snow removal, sanding, and storm response • Conduct routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs • Work both independently and as part of a team
What We’re Looking For
• Valid Vermont driver’s license with Class B CDL (or ability to obtain) and a clean driving record • Mechanical aptitude and equipment experience preferred • Willingness to work overtime during storms and emergencies • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions • Must comply with random drug and alcohol testing
AL
What We Offer
• Competitive pay: $26-$30/hour based on experience and qualifications • Excellent benefits package • Stable, year-round municipal employment • Opportunity to build skills across equipment operation, maintenance, and public works
Work Environment
This is a hands-on, outdoor position with varying seasonal demands. Winter storm response will require overtime and flexible hours, balanced by more predictable schedules during other times of the year.
Applications are available on our website at tinyurl.com/FletcherRoadCrew or at the Fletcher Town Offices during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.3:30 p.m., Monday evening, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please contact the Town Office at (802) 849-6616 or town@fletchervt.net. The Town of Fletcher is an EOE.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 13
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Place your order online or email afrey202@gmail.com SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 13
LEGAL NOTICE Public Auction Under SelfStorage And Operators Lien U-Haul Of Williston 5010 Williston Rd Williston, Vt . 05495 On April 16th at 9:00 am am on www.storageauctions.com The contents of the following units consisting of furniture, household goods and miscellaneous personal property will be SOLD to satisfy the lien of U-HAUL as self-storage operators. This Sale Is Held Under The Uniform Commercial Code Section 16a, Paragraph 7-210 Enforcement Of Vermont Self-Storage Lien.
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1 EMAIL - 1 CONTACT = YOUR AD IN 7 PAPERS.
Reach readers in northern Vermont’s most thriving communities — in print and online! Contact Rick Cote at rick@willistonobserver.com or call 802-373-2136
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To place a classified ad, email Adam@willistonobserver.com or call (802) 338-1655 Deadline for classifieds is Monday
April 2, 2026 •
Williston Observer •
Page 15
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Page 16 •
Williston Observer •
April 2, 2026
Rallying cries at Maple Tree Place Several hundred people participated in Williston on Saturday as part of national and global No Kings protests against the actions of the Trump administration. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
New Hours!
2-9pm Monday- Friday | 12-9pm on Saturday & Sunday.
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